Göta Canal, Fjords & Hurtigruten - 16 days

Scandinavian Cruises, Start in Stockholm

Traverse eight lakes and 66 locks along the remarkable Göta Canal from Stockholm to Gothenburg. All meals and excursions are included during the cruise. Continue via the Norwegian fjords to Bergen. Embark on a cruise with Hurtigruten along the coast of Norway from Bergen to Kirkenes (full board included during the cruise). Set departure dates.

Day 04: Canal cruise from Motala to Lake Vänern

Day 05: Canal cruise from Trollhättan to Gothenburg, coastal city in west Sweden

Included shore excursions:

Visit to Trollhättan Canal Museum

Buffet breakfast and 2-course lunch onboard

Arrival in Gothenburg at 14:30 hrs

Recommended attractions:

The Wheel of Gothenburg

Shrimp & Salmon Evening Cruise

Paddan – sightseeing by open-top boat

New Älvsborgs Fortress

Gothenburg City Sightseeing tour

Accommodation in Gothenburg.

Day 06: Train from Gothenburg to Oslo

Breakfast at the hotel.

Train from Gothenburg to Oslo

Afternoon at leisure in Oslo.

Recommended attractions:

Vigeland Sculpture Park

Viking Ship Museum

Oslo Opera House

Kon-tiki Museum

Munch Museum

Accommodation in Oslo.

Day 07: Travel with the Bergen- & Flåm Railway to Flåm

Breakfast at the hotel.

Bergen Railway from Oslo to Myrdal.

Flåm Railway from Myrdal to Flåm.

Accommodation in Flåm.

Day 08: Fjord Cruise - By bus & train to Bergen

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning at leisure in Flåm.

2-hour fjord cruise on the Nærøyfjord.

Bus from Gudvangen to Voss (Stalheimskleiva).

Train from Voss to Bergen.

Accommodation in Bergen.

Day 09: Bergen - evening cruise departure with Hurtigruten

Breakfast at the hotel.

Day at leisure in Bergen.

Recommended attractions:

Bryggen Wharf

Fløibanen funicular

Edvard Grieg’s home Troldhaugen

The Fish and Flower market

Old Bergen Open Air Museum

Hurtigruten cruise departure:

Baggage delivery available from 13:00 hrs

Check-in commences at 15:00 hrs (latest 1 hour before departure)

Embarkation commences at 16:00 hrs

Evening buffet onboard from 18:00-21:30 hrs

Departure at 20:00 hrs from June 1 to October 31

Shore excursions can be booked in advance (see add-ons).

Accommodation onboard Hurtigruten.

Day 10: Cruise to Ålesund/Geirangerfjord or Hjørundfjord

Hurtigruten Cruise.

Attractions along the coast:

Stathavet, a stretch of open sea

Ålesund, the art nouveau town

The Romsdals Alps

Hustadvika, a stretch of open sea

Hurtigruten Cruise to Geirangerfjord = no time in Ålesund

Available for cruises with start in Bergen between June 1 and August 31

Optional Shore Excursions:

Geiranger with Trollstigen Pass

Breakfast buffet, lunch buffet & dinner onboard.

Accommodation onboard Hurtigruten.

Day 11: Cruise to Trondheim, Norway's first capital

Hurtigruten Cruise.

Attractions along the coast:

Trondheim

Stokksundet

Kjeungskjæret, Norway’s most charming lighthouse

6000 islands and skerries along this leg.

Optional Shore Excursions:

Nidaros Cathedral & Ringve Museum

Breakfast buffet, lunch buffet & dinner onboard.

Accommodation onboard Hurtigruten.

Day 12: Cruise across the Arctic Circle to Lofoten

Hurtigruten Cruise.

Attractions along the coast:

The Arctic Circle

Vestfjorden

Lofoten Wall (mountain chain)

Svolvær

Raftsundet (during the night)

Trollfjorden (from April, depending on ice/snow)

Optional Shore Excursions:

Svartisen Glacier

RIB boat safari, Saltstraumen

Lofoten Viking Feast

Breakfast buffet, lunch buffet & dinner onboard.

Accommodation onboard Hurtigruten.

Day 13: Cruise Vesterålen Islands to Tromsø

Hurtigruten Cruise.

Attractions along the coast:

Gibostad, historic trading post

Tromsø

Optional Shore Excursions:

Whale Watching

The Arctic Capital Tromsø

Scenery & Huskies, Tromsø

Kayaking, Tromsø

Breakfast buffet, lunch buffet & dinner onboard.

Accommodation onboard Hurtigruten.

Day 14: Cruise to Honningsvåg/Optional North Cape excursion

Hurtigruten Cruise.

Attractions along the coast:

The North Cape (only on shore excursion)

Fishing station

Sværholdtklubben, bird cliffs

Finnkjerka, mountain formation

Optional Shore Excursions:

The North Cape

Bird Watching Safari

A taste of Lapland

Breakfast buffet, lunch buffet & dinner onboard.

Accommodation onboard Hurtigruten.

Day 15: Arrival in Kirkenes (Hurtigruten) - Oslo (flight)

Breakfast onboard.

Attractions along the coast:

Kirkenes, the turning point of the journey

Hurtigruten Cruise arrival in Kirkenes at 09:00 hrs.

Optional Shore Excursions:

The Russian Border

Riverboat to the Russian Border

ATV/Quad-safari to the Russian Border

Flight from Kirkenes to Oslo (booked by yourself)

Accommodation in Oslo.

Day 16: Departure from Oslo

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure from Oslo according to your own itinerary.

Day 01: Arrival in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden

Arrival in Stockholm according to your own itinerary. Stockholm is built on 14 islands connected by old bridges and overpasses and is one of Europe’s largest and best-preserved mediaeval city centers. It homes the country’s most important buildings and finest architecture. Visit the Royal Palace, official residence of His Majesty the King of Sweden, with over 600 rooms. The Palace is open to the public and offers no less than five museums. Take an afternoon boat trip along Stockholm’s numerous waterways or try one of the evening dinner cruises sailing around the beautiful archipelago (see add-ons). Accommodation in Stockholm.

Day 02: Göta Canal - morning cruise departure

Breakfast at the hotel. The Göta Canal cruise departs in the morning from Skeppsbron quay in the Old Town. You are welcomed aboard the historical ship M/S Juno by your guide and shown to your cabin. Turn off your mobile phone, leave the stress of everyday life behind, and give yourself a few days of total relaxation with good food and interesting encounters. All meals are included and served at set times in the dining room. During the cruise between Stockholm and Gothenburg the first lock on your journey is Hammarby lock. From here on the ship sails through the archipelago on Lake Mälaren. Pass Drottningholm Castle, the home of the Royal family since 1981, and on UNESCO’S list of World Heritage sites. When reaching Södertälje you will find the largest lock in Scandinavia; 135 meters long. Then continue through the archipelago of St Anna and Södermanland before arriving to Trosa; a small town that dates all the way back to the 14th century. In Trosa you will be taken on a guided walk along the canals and alleys. Overnight cruise on the Baltic Sea.

Day 03: Canal cruise from Stegeborg to Motala

In the early morning hours the ship passes the ruins of the Stegeborg Castle, beautifully situated on a small island overlooking the bay of Slätbaken. The fort dates from the early middle Ages and was built to guard the inlet to Söderköping. Continuing to Mem, the ship goes through the first of the 58 narrow locks on the Göta Canal. In 1832, the Göta Canal was inaugurated at Mem amid great pomp and circumstance in the presence of King Karl XIV Johan and his family. The ship then passes the idyllic town of Söderköping, Lake Asplången and Lake Roxen. At midday you arrive to the famous locks of Berg where the Carl-Johan lock staircase is the longest in the canal with seven connected locks that lifts or lowers boats 18.8 meters. A fascinating spectacle that often attracts a large audience. Join the guided tour to the convent of Vreta, the first nunnery in Sweden that dates from about 1100. The old convent church at Vreta is one of Sweden’s most interesting and offers many medieval treasures. In the evening, the ship berths in Motala. It was Baltzar von Platen, the founder of Göta Canal, who drew up the plans for Motala and today it is called "the Capital of the Göta Canal".

Day 04: Canal cruise from Motala to Lake Vänern

The ship leaves Motala and shortly after enters Lake Vättern, the second largest lake in Sweden. Today you will visit Karlsborg Fortress, initiated by Baltzar von Platen and built in 1819-1909. The fortress was built as part of the central defense policy, born when Sweden lost Finland and Åland to Russia in the war of 1808-09. The war left Sweden’s borders open. Here the guides take you on an interesting tour of the fortress and the beautiful Garrison Church. On arrival to Forsvik, you will see the oldest lock in the canal which was built in 1813. Next the ship heads out onto Lake Viken which serves as a water reservoir for the western section of Göta Canal. When reaching the Berg Canal you can see an obelisk that marks the highest point of the canal; 91, 5 meters above sea level. Further at Hajstorp you pass a lock system consisting of four locks. Here, in 1822, the western section of Göta Canal was inaugurated by King Karl XIV Johan. In the evening the ship makes a stop at Sjötorp where you visit an old warehouse, you will find a shop selling clothes and home décor and Sjötorp Canal Museum. In the museum you can see old pictures of Sjötorp, the interiors of several old ships and a large collection of ships’ engines. Overnight cruise on Lake Vänern, Sweden's largest lake.

Day 05: Canal cruise from Trollhättan to Gothenburg, coastal city in west Sweden

Morning visit to Trollhättan Canal Museum where you learn more about the fascinating history of the Trollhätte Canal through the interesting exhibition and film shown here. The ship then sails through the impressive lock staircase, which consists of four locks and has a total drop of 32 meters. Of the three parallel lock systems here, only the biggest one (from 1916) is still in use. The lock at Lilla Edet, built in 1916, is the last lock on the journey. The original lock was opened in 1607 and was the first lock in Sweden. The cruise ends at Packhuskajen, near the Opera House and the Maritime Centre in Gothenburg. We recommend a visit to Gothenburg’s oldest suburb Haga, now a trendy neighborhood in the centre of the town or an evening dinner cruise where you can enjoy fresh seafood whilst sailing around the spectacular archipelago (please see add-ons). Accommodation in Gothenburg.

Day 06: Train from Gothenburg to Oslo

Breakfast at the hotel followed by a 4-hour train ride to Oslo around noon. Please note that it is possible to add extra nights in Gothenburg or Oslo (see add-ons). The Norwegian capital is beautifully situated at the head of the Oslo Fjord and surrounded by forested ridges. The city’s surroundings provide recreational opportunities that are frequently taken advantage of by the city’s inhabitants, as well as increasingly by visitors. Oslo offers many well known sights such as the Vigeland Sculpture Park, the Viking Ship Museum, the Munch Museum and Oslo Opera House. Accommodation in Oslo.

Day 07: Travel with the Bergen- & Flåm Railway to Flåm

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning departure from Oslo by train. The 5-hour train journey from Oslo to Myrdal is part of the Bergen Railway, classed as one of the finest train journeys in the world. The train journey will bring you across Hardangervidda Mountain Plateau, with Finse as the highest train station at 1222 metres above sea level. In Myrdal you will change to the Flåm Railway, connecting the Bergen Line to the Sognefjord. You will pass through wild and beautiful mountain scenery with waterfalls and steep mountain sides before reaching the fjord village of Flåm. Flåm is Norway's only fjord village with train connection. Afternoon at leisure to explore Flåm. The area also offers great hiking opportunities. Accommodation in Flåm.

Day 08: Fjord Cruise - By bus & train to Bergen

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning at leisure in Flåm before you will depart on a 2-hour fjord cruise on the Nærøyfjord to Gudvangen. The Nærøyfjord is the narrowest fjord channel in Europe, and has recently been added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List. From Gudvangen the journey continues by bus through Nærøyfjord Valley and up the Stalheimskleiva, with its 13 steep hairpin bends (Stalheimskleiva is only open during the summer). The last part of the excursion will be by train from Voss to Bergen, Norway’s second largest city and the world’s only city surrounded by 7 mountains and 7 fjords. Accommodation in Bergen.

Day 09: Bergen - evening cruise departure with Hurtigruten

Breakfast at the hotel. This day is at your own leisure in Bergen before departing with Hurtigruten in the evening. Attractions in Bergen include the Hanseatic Bryggen Harbour, Fløibanen Funicular, Troldhaugen, the Fish and Flower market, Bergen Aquarium and Gamle Bergen (Old Bergen Open Air Museum). Your journey with Hurtigruten begins in the evening from Bergen, heading north along the western coastline of Norway to Kirkenes in 6 nights/7 days. During the cruise you will experience everyday life along the coast, and the mix of tourists, local travelers and transported goods make this a unique experience. All meals onboard are included. During the cruise with Hurtigruten you can choose between a wide selection of optional shore excursions, which can be booked in advance or onboard the ship. Please see add-ons for further information and prices.

Day 10: Cruise to Ålesund/Geirangerfjord or Hjørundfjord

Breakfast onboard Hurtigruten. Today you have the choice between exploring the Art Nouveau city of Ålesund or to follow Hurtigruten on a cruise along the well known Geirangerfjord (the detour is possible on cruises starting from Bergen between June 1 and August 31). Ålesund was completely destroyed by a devastating town fire in 1904, and rebuilt again in the Art Nouveau style, making it a truly unique town in Europe. The town centre reveals a lively urban scene with pleasant restaurants and cafés, and the picturesque Brosundet canal with its fishing boats. Sights of interest are the Atlantic Sea-Park, one of the largest aquariums in Northern Europe and the Sunnmøre Museum, an open air museum with an impressive boat collection and more than 50 old houses in beautiful surroundings (entrances not included). The beauty of the town can be appreciated from Mount Aksla, with a breathtaking view of the town. If you take the detour to the Geirangerfjord, you will cruise along the Geirangerfjord, with its waterfalls and mountain farms situated high up on the mountainsides, in places you will be amazed that people and livestock could survive. The Geirangerfjord has been included on UNESCO's World Heritage list. Evening departure from Ålesund. Accommodation onboard Hurtigruten.

Day 11: Cruise to Trondheim, Norway's first capital

Morning arrival in Trondheim, Norway’s third largest city. The city was founded by Viking King Olav Tryggvason in 997 BC, and occupies a special place in Norwegian culture and history. Trondheim was Norway’s first capital and continues to be the coronation city where Norway's Kings from Harald Hårfagre (10th century BC) to King Harald V (1991 -) have been crowned and blessed.

Day 12: Cruise across the Arctic Circle to Lofoten

Early in the morning you will cross the Arctic Circle and enter the Land of the Midnight Sun; where the sun never sets during the summer. You will spend 3,5 hours in Bodø before continuing across the Vestfjord to the Lofoten Islands. Lofoten stretches like a wall of mountains to the southwest in the sea. The archipelago consists of mountains and peaks, wide open ocean, sheltered inlets, stretches of seashore and large virgin areas. For centuries, catching cod and drying them has been a way of life and Lofoten’s largest industry. Two of the most recognizable sights are therefore the fishermen’s shacks and the Stockfish which is cod that has been hung to dry on a wooden frame.

Day 13: Cruise Vesterålen Islands to Tromsø

Morning at sea, before arriving in Tromsø at 14:30 hrs where you will have 4 hours at leisure. Tromsø is the world’s most northern university town and the largest city in the Nordic countries north of the Arctic Circle. The city lies between the sharp craggy peaks of the Lyngen Alps, and combines wild scenery with urban life. Sights of interest are the Polar Museum, Northern Light Planetarium and Tromsø Museum.

Day 14: Cruise to Honningsvåg/Optional North Cape excursion

Morning at sea, you will arrive in Honningsvåg around noon. Excursion possibility to the North Cape Plateau where you can admire the panoramic view of the open wide expanse of the Arctic Ocean, and perhaps have the opportunity to see the Midnight Sun. During the excursion entrance to the North Cape Hall with viewing platform, souvenir shops, cinema, cafeteria and restaurant, is included.

Day 15: Arrival in Kirkenes (Hurtigruten) - Oslo (flight)

While you sleep, the ship continues sailing east along the Varanger peninsula, past Båtsfjord and Vardø. At breakfast time, you will arrive in Vadsø, the administrative centre of Finnmark. It was from here that the Arctic explorers Roald Amundsen and Lincoln Ellsworth began their flights over the North Pole in the airship, Norge. Kirkenes is the last stop on the northbound journey with Hurtigruten. The town lies between two time lines, Helsinki and Moscow. Possibility to join one of the shore excursions in Kirkenes before flying back to Oslo (flight not included in the price). Accommodation in Oslo.

Day 16: Departure from Oslo

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure from Oslo according to your own itinerary.

Any Questions?

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All reservations will be on request; you will not receive an immediate online confirmation.

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You will receive a confirmation by e-mail as soon as all services (hotels, trains etc.) included
in the selected package tour are confirmed. The confirmation will be sent to you between 24-
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A deposit of EUR 100 per person is due within 10 days of receiving our confirmation. For package tours including Göta Canal and longer voyages with Hurtigruten, as well as for Escorted Coach Tours, Partly Escorted Tours and Winter Tours, a deposit of 10% of the total booking price is due within 10 days of receiving our confirmation. The deposit is non-refundable. By longer cruises with Hurtigruten we refer to cruises of 3 nights and more.

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Once we have received your deposit you can book additional add-ons, including sightseeing,
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The documents will be sent no later than 2 weeks before the start of your tour.

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Booking conditions
All bookings, changes, alternations and cancellations must be made in writing.
All rates are quoted in euro (EUR) per person and include taxes and VAT. Authentic
Scandinavia guarantees no changes in the prices of confirmed tours. A detailed list of
all services included in the tour price will be specified under each tour (please see Price
Details). Any extra expenses incurred by the client during the tour, for example use of
telephone, hotel mini-bars, etc. must be paid directly by the client to the hotel or other
provider of such services, prior to departure.

Amendments to confirmed reservations
Changes to confirmed tours will incur a EUR 50 amendment fee. This fee will apply to each
amendment made for the tour.

Refunds and unused services
Travel arrangements cancelled or amended within 24 hours of your departure or once travel
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The date of the cancellation shall be when Authentic Scandinavia receives it in writing (our office hours are Monday-Friday 09:00 – 17:00 hrs, CET).

The following cancellation fees apply on Independent- and Escorted Tours:
Over 30 days prior to departure - Loss of full deposit
Between 30-15 days prior to departure - 50% of total payment
Between 14-0 days prior to departure - 100% of total payment

The following cancellation fees apply on tours including Hurtigruten & Göta Canal, and our Winter Tours:
Over 60 days prior to departure - Loss of full deposit
Between 60-42 days prior to departure - 30% of total payment
Between 41-28 days prior to departure - 60% of total payment
Between 27-0 days prior to departure - 100% of total payment

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passport details are required for all bookings including cruises (overnight cruises, as well as
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Travel insurance
Authentic Scandinavia recommends that each customer has adequate travel insurance, also
to include cancellation cover.

Authentic Scandinavia can not be held responsible for loss of luggage, or other personal
possessions, for personal injury, accident or illness. In the event of personal injury, accident
or illness, Authentic Scandinavia cannot be required to make any refunds should the tour be
partially cancelled or cancelled.

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reserves the right to cancel the tour. Monies paid for services will be refunded, but Authentic
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and that it is a question of the non-performance of a promised service or an alteration of
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amount of this liability is restricted by the sum of the agreed cost of the tour.

Furthermore the providers of the various services are basically personally liable to the client,
in case the services are not being carried out in a satisfying way or to their full extent,
contrary to the expectations.

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usage.

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in writing. In case complaints cannot be solved on the spot, they have to be directed to
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Activities
Some of our tour packages include activities such as dog sledding, and optional activities
such as glacier walks, snowmobile safaris, ice fishing and similar. In this relation Authentic
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not under any circumstances be held liable for injury, damage, loss or accident caused by
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Travel Insurance

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